Illinois ranks 47th of 49 states and D.C. for photographers pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($110,530) by $75,930 — a 219% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $29,120 to $62,360 — a $33,240 spread, 49% tighter than the national $65,150 range.
Photographers are more concentrated in Illinois than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.25 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.25× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| 25th percentile | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,600 | $16.64 |
| 75th percentile | $45,480 | $21.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Mean (average) | $41,260 | $19.84 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $34,600 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $110,530 | +219% |
| Massachusetts | $60,610 | +75% |
| New York | $57,700 | +67% |
| Oregon | $55,640 | +61% |
| Minnesota | $54,650 | +58% |
| New Jersey | $50,760 | +47% |
| California | $50,610 | +46% |
| Delaware | $50,040 | +45% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,610 | 13,050 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,520 | 2,490 |
| Retail Salespersons | $34,490 | 132,880 |
| Animal Caretakers | $34,440 | 10,660 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,800 | 13,770 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,380 | 15,340 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Photographers salary in Illinois?
The mean photographers salary in Illinois is $41,260 per year. The median (middle) salary is $34,600 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Photographers in Illinois?
Entry-level photographerss (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $29,120 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $29,120 per year.
What is the highest Photographers salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately $62,360 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $45,480 per year.
How does the Illinois Photographers salary compare to the national average?
The median photographers salary in Illinois is $34,600, which is -19% below national average of $42,520.